| Facts and FAQs |
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| G.S. 58-87-1 |
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| Funding: |
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| G.S. 105-228.5 One-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) of fire
and lightning insurance coverage. |
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| Purpose: |
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| To assist fire departments to purchase equipment and make
capital expenditures. Fire Departments shall match the grant on a
dollar-for-dollar basis, up to $30,000. |
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| Eligibility Criteria: |
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- Population served is 12,000 or less
- Fire Department is all volunteer, with the exception of 6 paid positions.
- Fire Department must be recognized as rated/certified by the Department of Insurance.
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| DO NOT PLACE ORDERS PRIOR TO MAY 15 ANNOUNCEMENT DATE |
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| Review of Applications: |
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| Applications are reviewed and scored using a non subjective
point system. Areas evaluated are; all volunteer/paid positions, population
served, number and age of department vehicles, financial status and type of
equipment being requested. At the time all applications have been entered
into the database and scored, the available monies is entered. The computer
selects the applications with the lowest total score until the available
monies is exhausted. |
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: |
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| Q. If my fire department has a satellite
station, can we apply? |
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| A. Yes. However, you must provide full fire
department information for both stations, i.e., total personnel,
budget, vehicles, etc. |
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| Q. My fire department is owned by a municipality,
can we apply? |
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| A. Yes, if the fire department meets the
eligibility criteria. |
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| Q. What type of equipment is typically not
considered for matching funds? |
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| A. Furniture, software, copiers, fax machines,
manuals, land purchases, refurbish or upgrades to SCBA's, refurbish
vehicles, refurbish communications equipment. Call this office
if in doubt. |
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| Q. Are application extensions given? |
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| A. No |
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| Q. Are invoice extensions given? |
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| A. Yes, but only for approved vehicles and
building request. The manufacturer or contractor must send this
office a notarized letter stating the order date and projected
delivery/completion date. The letter must be received by this
office by the September 30 deadline date. The extension date is
February 15. |
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| **A Thirty (30) day extension (October 30) can be
given for protective clothing. A letter requesting an extension
must be received by September 30. |
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| Q. If my fire department receives their
approved equipment before the September 30 deadline, can I receive
the matching funds earlier? |
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| A. Yes, check requests are given to the
Controller's Office weekly. |
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| Q. The invoice deadline is approaching, most
of the approved equipment has been delivered, but some equipment
will not be delivered by September 30, will my fire department
lose all of the approved matching funds? |
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| A. No. The equipment that has not been
received will be excluded from the approved matching funds. |
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| Q. My fire department was approved for matching funds. What forms are required and when are they due? |
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A. Prior to receiving your matching funds check, the following forms are required to be submitted to OSFM:
Agreement of Payment Form, Conflict of Interest Statement and the State Grant Certification – No Over Due Tax Debts Form. Your check will not be released without these forms
After receipt of your matching funds check, the following forms are required to be submitted to the Department of Insurance, Controller’s Office:
State Grants Compliance Report, Program Activities and Accomplishments Report and the State Grant Certification and Sworn Statement. Until these forms are received by our Controller’s office, your fire department will be placed on the State Auditors “suspend funding” report.
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| The Volunteer Fire Department Fund (Fire Grant)
is administered through the Office of State Fire Marshal Grants
of the Department of Insurance, 1202 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1202, 919-661-5880. Lauren Thompson is the Administrative
Officer of the fund. |
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